At a chilly hallway outside the principal’s office, Luis was working to edit the school podcast episode, but something else mattered too: anime drawing. When classmates talked about what was 'cool,' Luis left the notebook at home. Ms. Patel noticed the hesitation and asked what Luis actually enjoyed. Luis admitted it quietly. lab partner Minh listened without laughing. Not everyone cared, but Luis kept practicing anyway and found a small group that did. Luis understood that approval isn't the same as belonging.